Orthodox Church Blue Ridge

Q.
Why, when and how do Orthodox Christians cross themselves?

A.
Orthodox Christians make the ancient sign of the cross frequently during worship. This ancient gesture
(Orthodox Christians use three fingers of their right
hands [as shown above] to touch the forehead, heart area,
then the right shoulder/arm, and finally the left
shoulder/arm) is usually given when there is a mention
of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in the
Liturgy. It will also be seen at other times in the service.
This simple gesture, of making the sign of the cross on
our bodies, can be considered a way of keeping our
minds and hearts on Christ.
It is, then, a type of bodily prayer.

The oldest known surviving example of the icon of Christ Pantocrator was painted in encaustic on panel in the sixth or seventh century, and survived the period of destruction of images during the Iconoclastic disputes that twice racked the Eastern church, 726 to 787 and 814 to 842.